We’re All In This Together (except for our Shepway Councillors it seems)

With money being tight for all Councils, you may expect that Councillors would start by ensuring they are setting a good example themselves.

Councillors on Kent County Council and Shepway District Council receive an allowance each year for their work as a Councillor.

There is a basic allowance which is paid to every Councillor, and then a number of additional allowances depending on their role in the Council and top-up expenses a Councillor can claim.

The basic allowance for all Councillors on Shepway District Council was £3,867 until December 2015. In January 2016, did Shepway Councillors vote to:

1. Decrease basic allowances;
2. Keep basic allowances the same;
3. Increase their basic allowance by over 25% to £4,900 a year?

The answer is 3 - Shepway Councillors voted to increase their basic allowances to £4,900 a year.

Did you get a pay rise of 25% earlier this year?

The Shepway District Council Leader now receives an allowance of £26,460 a year, and in 2014-15 also claimed more than £1,500 extra in expenses.

Lib Dem Campaigner Ross Clark said:

"All Councils are being squeezed, with many Council staff getting zero or tiny pay rises for years.

"Those staff must be furious when they see Councillors voting themselves a 25% increase in allowances at the same time.

"Council tax payers will be furious when they see their bills rising and money going to fund huge rises in Councillor allowances."